Kindle Price: $2.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

John Muir Laws
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Sierra Birds: A Hiker's Guide Kindle Edition

by John Muir Laws (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 95 ratings
See all formats and editions
The beginner’s birding book that covers species found in the Sierra Nevada—from the author of The Law’s Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling.

As a naturalist managing the field studies program at the California Academy of Sciences, John Muir Laws noticed that novice birders often distinguish birds by color and size rather than species. This inspired him to create Sierra Birds: A Hiker’s Guide, a unique book that assumes no prior birding knowledge on the part of the reader. Color-coded keys eliminate the time-consuming frustration of thumbing randomly through a guide, and a cross-index is also included for more advanced birders. All this in a format that is simply organized and perfect to read on a smartphone or tablet. A first-rate naturalist, Laws is also an accomplished artist. His illustrations are lively, colorful, and accurate, and drawn to represent species in the manner in which one generally sees them in the field.

Praise for John Muir Laws

“For those of us who live in California, there are few resources that top the books by John Muir Laws. His Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada and his Pocket Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area combine beautiful illustrations with exacting biological information on birds, beasts, and plants.” —Sierra Magazine
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    68 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Heyday
  5. Publication date
    May 7, 2019
  6. File size
    38326 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Here is a basic field guide that will be celebrated by beginning and experienced birders alike. Comprehensive, geographically specific, simply organized, and lightweight, Sierra Birds: A Hiker’s Guide makes it easy for outdoor enthusiasts and amateur naturalists to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Part of a much larger project from Heyday Books and the California Academy of Sciences, Sierra Birds is the first installment of a breathtaking comprehensive field guide to the ecology and biodiversity of the Sierra region, due out in Spring 2007.

About the Author

John Muir Laws is a naturalist, artist, and educator with the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. He has taught classes on ecology, biology, and illustration. He received a B.S. in conservation and resource studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, Missoula, and he studied science illustration at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NC96F2H
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Heyday (May 7, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 7, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 38326 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 68 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 95 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
John Muir Laws

John Muir Laws

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

John Muir Laws is a naturalist, educator, and artist. He has degrees in conservation and resource studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and in wildlife biology from the University of Montana, Missoula, as well as certification in scientific illustration from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is an Audubon TogetherGreen fellow and a research associate with the California Academy of Sciences. He is the author of "The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds." "The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada" and "Sierra Birds: A Hiker's Guide." Visit his website at www.johnmuirlaws.com.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
95 global ratings
The best guide to the birds of the Sierras I have ever found. Seller is a cool dude, as well.
5 Stars
The best guide to the birds of the Sierras I have ever found. Seller is a cool dude, as well.
I've been looking for a perfect sierra bird field guide for a while since moving to Murphys, in Calaveras County, a few years ago. I am grateful for this particular guide and the seller, as the customer service was great and the book is a lightweight and highly detailed reference easy to pack out with my hiking and camping gear.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Thinker
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to use
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022
Verified Purchase
This lightweight book is easy to use, the illustrations are beautiful and easy to compare with the sightings, and it is easy to carry. Terrific reference to bring birds in the field into the heart and carry close in memory.
Helpful
 Report
Mary
5.0 out of 5 stars Jealous
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
I'm jealous of the friend I'm gifting this to, and I'll probably be getting myself a copy as well. I love how easy this is to use for identification! A must for anyone living in the Sierras.
Helpful
 Report
Christopher
5.0 out of 5 stars The best guide to the birds of the Sierras I have ever found. Seller is a cool dude, as well.
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2020
Verified Purchase
I've been looking for a perfect sierra bird field guide for a while since moving to Murphys, in Calaveras County, a few years ago. I am grateful for this particular guide and the seller, as the customer service was great and the book is a lightweight and highly detailed reference easy to pack out with my hiking and camping gear.
Customer image
Christopher
5.0 out of 5 stars The best guide to the birds of the Sierras I have ever found. Seller is a cool dude, as well.
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2020
I've been looking for a perfect sierra bird field guide for a while since moving to Murphys, in Calaveras County, a few years ago. I am grateful for this particular guide and the seller, as the customer service was great and the book is a lightweight and highly detailed reference easy to pack out with my hiking and camping gear.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Bailey M
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for a non-bird-watcher like me
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
We just wanted something for casual use that would help identify the birds in our area. This book presents the names of birds organized by color. The pictures are beautiful, and organization by color is definitely the way to go for quick look-up. If we want to know more about the birds we see, we’ll google it!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jadd
4.0 out of 5 stars why aren't other bird books like this?
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2016
Verified Purchase
Organized by color for quick reference, why aren't other bird books like this?! Its not going to tell you much more than the name of the bird, but then you use your National Geographic book to learn more about them. There has been at least one bird that we couldn't find so far, hence the 4 stars, other than that its great!
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
W
5.0 out of 5 stars Good bird book
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
Easy to use. Birds are sorted by color. Good for people mostly interested in the names and don’t wanted to be bogged down by bird details. This is my second copy. I have one at my house and one at my cabin.
Helpful
 Report
Sunshine Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars Sierra birds: A Hiker's Guide
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2010
Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful book. Easy to use and identify birds. I gave it to my 84 year old mother in law. She loves it and delights in telling me what birds she has seen that day. I used it for the Great American Backyard Bird Count this year and it really helped. It makes a great gift for people traveling to the Sierra's or hiking in them. I live here so use it every day.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Seagreen
5.0 out of 5 stars Portable and Well Organized
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
The book is very lightweight so that I can take it on backpacking trips in the Sierra. I find the organization very easy to use, and the information very helpful. The convenient size means that I can keep it handy for easier bird ID.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
2nimm
4.0 out of 5 stars guide compact de terrain non exhaustf mais pratique et bien illustré
Reviewed in France on February 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
livre anglophone broché à couverture cartonnée souple moyen format ancien (2004) consacré à l'avifaune californiennede la Sierra Nevada (de Sequoia à Lassen NP);
après une courte page de présentation, l'ouvrage présente 200 espèces en neuf sections repérées par un code couleur:
01 oiseaux d'eau (7 pages / 50 espèces)
02 rapaces (9 pages / 27 espèces)
03 oiseaux rouges (3 pages / 8 espèces)
04 oiseaux orange (3 pages / 9 espèces)
05 oiseaux jaunes (5 pages / 19 espèces)
06 oiseaux verts (3 pages / 18 espèces)
07 oiseaux bleus (5 pages / 22 espèces)
08 oiseaux blancs, gris ou noirs (8 pages / 46 espèces)
09 oiseaux bruns (9 pages / 61 espèces)
chacune de ces espèces fait l'objet d'une illustration avec parfois un complément pour la femelle ou une race particulière
pas de fiche d'dentité ni de carte de distribution; le tout esty assez peu lisible et les espèces sont difficiles à repérer
ce petit guide d'identification ultra compact, assez complet et à l'iconographie correcte suffira largement pour le randonneur en complément d'un vrai guide d'identification plus exhaustif ( USA ou hémicontinental)
à conseiller pour tous les ornithos partant pour cette région; commentaire utile? merci de cliquer ci-dessous
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report